India is home to many religions, but Hinduism is by far the most widely practiced. Here’s a quick look at the facts about Hinduism in India:
What percentage of India is Hindu?
According to India’s 2011 census data, about 80.5% of Indians identify as Hindu. That’s about 966 million people! This makes Hinduism the religion with the largest following in India.
How long has Hinduism been practiced in India?
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, with roots extending back over 4000 years. Scholars believe Hinduism began in the Indus Valley region (modern day Pakistan and northwest India) with the development of the Vedic religion among Indo-Aryan settlers. Hinduism then gradually evolved through different historic periods up to present day.
What are the main beliefs and practices of Hinduism?
Hinduism is incredibly diverse, with a vast array of philosophies, practices, and beliefs. However, there are some core ideas that define Hinduism:
- Belief in the supreme deity Brahman, the universal spirit manifested in many gods and goddesses
- The concept of samsara – the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth
- The principle of karma – that actions have consequences which affect future incarnations
- The goal of moksha – liberation from samsara
- Practices like yoga and meditation
- Worship (puja) at home shrines or temples
- Major Hindu festivals like Diwali, Holi, and more
What are some main Hindu scriptures?
Hinduism has a vast collection of ancient scriptures, written in Sanskrit. Some key texts include:
- The Vedas – foundational Hindu scriptures containing hymns, rituals, and philosophy
- The Upanishads – philosophical texts exploring concepts like Brahman and the self
- The Puranas – narratives about gods, heroes and mythologies
- The Bhagavad Gita – an influential philosophical dialogue about dharma
- The Ramayana and Mahabharata – epic Sanskrit poems about avatars of Vishnu
What are some major Hindu gods and goddesses?
Hinduism has a pantheon of gods and goddesses, each representing an aspect of Brahman. Major deities include:
- Brahma – the creator god
- Vishnu – the preserver god
- Shiva – the transformer god
- Devi – the Mother Goddess
- Ganesha – remover of obstacles
- Saraswati – goddess of knowledge and arts
- Lakshmi – goddess of wealth and prosperity
- Krishna – one of Vishnu’s avatars, a protector god
- Hanuman – an incarnation of Shiva, embodiment of strength and devotion
What are the different denominations within Hinduism?
There are many denominations and sects within Hinduism that worship specific gods or follow particular lineages, including:
- Shaivism – focuses worship on Shiva
- Vaishnavism – focuses on worship of Vishnu and his avatars like Krishna
- Shaktism – worships the Mother Goddess Devi
- Smartism – worship five main deities of Hinduism
In addition, philosophical schools of thought like Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra, and Bhakti influence beliefs and practices. Regional variations in Hinduism also exist across India.
How did Hinduism spread across India over history?
In ancient times, Hinduism originated among the Indo-Aryans in Northwest India and spread with migrations of Aryan peoples. Hindu teachings traveled south and interacted with indigenous Dravidian cultures.
Between 400 BCE – 1500 CE, Hinduism expanded with:
- Empires promoting Hinduism like the Guptas
- Hindu temple construction across India
- Brahmin teachers carrying Hindu philosophy to different regions
- Increasing trade and commercial links creating cosmopolitan culture
Between 1500-1900 CE, Hinduism continued spreading via:
- Patronage by various regional kingdoms and dynasties
- Revival movements championing Hindu philosophies
- Colonial British officials categorizing Indian communities as Hindu or non-Hindu
How does the caste system relate to Hinduism in India?
The caste system is a hierarchical social structure within Hinduism, separating people into hereditary groups based on occupation and purity. The four main varnas (castes) include:
- Brahmins – priests
- Kshatriyas – nobles/warriors
- Vaishyas – merchants
- Shudras – laborers
Those outside the caste system are considered Dalits or “untouchables”. The caste system has religious roots in Hindu scriptures and mandates socio-economic roles and duties in Indian society. However, many contemporary Hindu reject caste-based discrimination.
What are some regional Hindu cultural variations in India?
Hinduism has adapted to diverse regional cultures across India, leading to many local variations:
- Southern India – Major temples housing murtis; Brahmin priests rigorously follow Agamic rituals
- Bengal – Strong influence of Shaktism worshiping Mother Goddess Kali; significant Vaishnavism following
- Central India – Bhakti movement inspired devotion to gods like Krishna and Rama
- Northern India – Vedic fire sacrifices retained; sacred sites on River Ganges; pilgrimages emphasized
- Eastern India – Merged Hindu and Buddhist ideas; Tantric practices incorporated
Yet overarching beliefs in karma, dharma, moksha unite these regional Hindu variants across India.
How does Hinduism influence Indian classical arts, dance and theatre forms?
Hindu themes, mythologies, and deities pervade India’s classical performing arts:
- Bharatanatyam – Dances depicting stories of Hindu gods like Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna
- Kathak – Dance form tracing origins to temple dancers; Hindu bhakti (devotional) elements
- Kathakali – Stylized dance-drama from Kerala based on Hindu epics
- Kuchipudi – Dance-drama genre conveying Hindu legends and mythology
- Manipuri – Rasa dance style inspired by Radha-Krishna bhakti traditions
- Odissi – Graceful dance form derived from Hindu temple sculptures
- Yakshagana – Folk theatre in Karnataka dramatizing mythological narratives
Hindu themes also inspire many Indian musical styles, poetry, literature, sculpture, architecture, painting and film.
How has Hinduism interacted with other religions in India over history?
Hinduism has a complex history interacting with other major religions in the Indian subcontinent.
Buddhism
– Emerged from Hinduism in 6th century BCE; rejected Vedic authority and caste system
– Coexisted in ancient times but declined under the Guptas who championed Hinduism
– Hinduism incorporated Buddha as an avatar and absorbed Buddhist ideas and temples
Jainism
– Founded in 6th century BCE emphasizing non-violence and asceticism
– Ancient Hindu texts reference Jain monks and kings
– Jain philosophy influenced Hindu thinkers like Adi Shankaracharya
– Jains assimilated into the Hindu caste system though still a distinct community
Sikhism
– Guru Nanak founded Sikhism in 15th century in Punjab as syncretic bhakti sect
– Shared beliefs with Hindus in karma, dharma, moksha, one God
– Rejected caste and idol worship; emphasized social justice
– Mughal conflict led Sikhs to develop distinct Khalsa identity
Islam
– Arrived in 8th Century through Arab, Turkic, and Persian traders and invaders
– Muslim rulers like Mughals governed large Hindu subjects for centuries
– Sufi traditions blended Islamic and Hindu ideas
– Periods of conflict but also synthesis – e.g. bhakti movement adopting monotheism
Christianity
– Introduced by European colonists in 18th-19th centuries
– Mostly converted dalits seeking social change outside caste system
– Hindu nationalists viewed Christianity as foreign imposition during British rule
– Post-Independence conversions remain controversial politicized issue
So Hinduism has both influenced Indian religions and adapted from their varied perspectives over history.
What are the differences between Hinduism in India vs Hinduism abroad?
There are some distinctions between Hinduism practiced in India versus Hinduism abroad:
In India
– More regional diversity in practices, gods, customs
– Caste system more ingrained in social organization
– Stronger emphasis on pilgrimages, festivals, rituals
– Hinduism more politicized as marker of national identity
Abroad
– Transplanted as cultural heritage of Indian immigrant communities
– Less embedded in localized traditions, more universal philosophy
– Yoga, meditation more popularized as lifestyle than devotion
– Temples serve as ethnic community hubs
– Caste and politics less pronounced
– Blending with New Age and environmentalist movements
Yet global Hindu networks are unifying traditions across continents. For instance, major Indian gurus like Srila Prabhupada and Sai Baba have spread their teachings worldwide. The values of karma, dharma, and moksha resonate with Hindus globally.
Conclusion
Hinduism originated in Ancient India over 4000 years ago and evolved over different historic periods. Today, it remains India’s predominant religion, with 80% of Indians identifying as Hindu. Hinduism’s core beliefs include samsara, karma, dharma, and moksha. But it also has vast diversity in deities, scriptures, practices across regions. Hinduism has shaped and assimilated from all major religions of the Indian subcontinent. Art forms like dance and theatre vibrantly express Hindu mythology and devotion. Hinduism continues to thrive both within modern India and across the global Indian diaspora.
